Oyinlola, Okebukola unveil new college of health sciences in Osun

FORMER Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and one-time Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, on Friday, unveiled a new higher institution, Alolade Oyinlola College of Health Sciences and Information Technology located in Okuku, Osun State.

Addressing newsmen in the premises of the college, Oyinlola, who is the proprietor accompanied by the chairman, Implementation Committee of the institution, Okebukola, said the vision behind the school was to promote wellness, quality, and ethical practices through excellence in education, service and community engagement.

He said all the take-off programmes “are accredited, and we have the approval of all appropriate professional bodies.”

The former Osun State helmsman, said the institution, named after his late mother, was not only to immortalise her but to also prepare students for careers as health and information technology professionals.

He said: “The college offers our students an environment of innovation and creativity that inspires them to explore new ways of thinking and achieving. At AOCHSIT, students will gain practical knowledge and build relationships to help them excel in work and life.

“They will also be equipped with the skills needed to build their future. From orientation to graduation, students’ learning and their future will be at the heart of all we do. Our commitment is to help our students realise their potential and graduate to success.

“The college is deeply rooted in our community and the demands of the present, with a global perspective that addresses future needs. During their studies at AOCHSIT, students are guaranteed a personal journey of growth, learning and discovery. Through the college, students are presented with various opportunities to gain new knowledge and skills and forge relationships that will last a lifetime.

“The goals of the college are to support leading-edge teaching in health sciences and Information Technology thinking and practice by students and teaching staff who bring real-world experience, knowledge and workplace context; build highly qualified health and technology talents to foster innovation, progress, and increase access to high-quality education for a broad group of learners ranging from those entering the post-secondary environment for the first time to those health sciences and Information Technology professionals and their allied counterparts who are already working.

“The mission of the college is to prepare students for careers as health and information technology professionals. Programmes in the college are committed to developing and maintaining relevant, responsive, and stimulating learning opportunities that are community-based, globally and locally relevant, and offered in a visionary, professional environment conducive to learning and promotes health and wellness for all.

“The college will promote wellness, quality, and ethical practices through excellence in education, service, and community engagement. The college is committed to becoming recognised as a provider of superior quality education and service driven by entrepreneurial thinking and a spirit of stewardship.

“We believe that learning is a lifelong endeavour and that we can work with individuals and communities to co-create a positive, relational environment that promotes a sense of belonging, personal and collaborative participation, community development, and enhanced well-being. Our work will be based on clear communication, open dialogue, evidence-based practice and research, and joy and passion.

“Our courses are designed to help students strive for better and higher achievements, and to develop the capacity and confidence needed to excel in life. We aim to prepare our students for success through outstanding global educational experiences rooted in excellence, character and professionalism. Students will be trained to be catalysts for healthcare delivery and innovation through our future-ready programmes, creating knowledge and solutions to make a tangible difference worldwide.

“Our lecturers are drawn from the crop of top professionals in various fields of health sciences home and abroad. They are talented professionals carefully selected to train and assist our students to become globally recognised professionals and help them attain their career goals. We expect our health-related Information Technology programmes to commence during our second development phase.”

According to Oyinlola, the institution has commenced admission into diploma programmes in Environmental Health Technology, Health Information Technician, Medical Laboratory Technician, Community Health Extension Workers, Health Care Technician, Junior Community Health Extension Workers and Health Care Assistant.

Speaking further on the mission behind establishment of the institution, Oyinlola said: “My father never had formal education but he so believed in education that he said the only legacy and property he was going to leave for any child is education and the benefit of going through that is what is happening today.

“Many of you know my background that I am the 43rd child out of 64. My father not been an educated person, he insisted that all the children must be educated. Secondly, if by chance in the next generation people asked who Olagunsoye Oyinlola is, unless there is no Osun and Lagos states again, the name would continue to reflect in history.

“Unless, if there is no Okuku again that is when people will forget that there was once Oba Moses Oyewole Oyinlola who has passed. In 250 years, who will remember that woman that gave birth to Olagunsoye Oyinlola? Hence the naming of this institutions after her.”

In his remarks, the chairman of the Implementation Committee of the College, Prof Okebukola, said about 35 renowned scholars from all parts of the globe, including the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, have agreed to work as adjunct lecturers in the College.

Calling for reorientation on the value placed on certificates from various higher institutions in the country, Okebukola, urged Nigerians to pay attention to the value a certificate holder would add, rather than the type of certificate being held.

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